Chapter 3

I just returned home to find the door wide open and strange sounds coming from inside, stopping me in my tracks.

Soren was wearing one of my old modeling outfits, strutting in front of Faye.

He gyrated his hips forcefully, giving the once-elegant clothes a more erotic flair on his body.

"Ms. Stratton, don't you think I've got what it takes to be a model too? It's not that hard."

He carelessly kicked aside a pile of clothes on the floor and sidled up to Faye with a flirtatious look. "Why don't you sponsor me, boss? I'm sure I could be even more popular than Asher~"

Faye leaned back on the couch with a look of enjoyment. "You? Maybe not quite. The Asher from before was in a league of his own."

A flash of dissatisfaction crossed Soren's eyes before he adopted a mocking expression. "Asher isn't the same as before. I heard it's basically impossible to get back to his old figure after heart surgery. I think I look better."

His hands wandered lower as Faye let out a husky breath, her eyes clouding with desire. "Yes, yes, our Soren is the most handsome. Let me see how good you look underneath..."

A glass suddenly shattered at their feet. Soren was startled by the sound, screaming and burrowing into her embrace.

Faye, upon seeing me standing coldly at the doorway, instinctively pushed Soren away, a flash of embarrassment crossing her face.

"How come you're back without saying a word? Are you trying to scare someone to death?"

I coldly surveyed the chaos in the living room, clothes and jewelry scattered everywhere.

She once promised to personally buy and hang up every outfit from my shows as mementos. Now look at this - my clothes trampled underfoot by another man while she's busy comforting Soren.

"Is this my home? Or... his?"

I stared at Soren's see-through clothes, feeling utterly disgusted. If I hadn't come back, would they have been fooling around in the living room...

Faye coughed, draping a shirt over him. "Soren heard you used to have lots of beautiful clothes and just wanted to try them on. It's not like you can wear them anymore, so they'd just go to waste."

"That's right, bro. I didn't mean anything by it. I just really admire you. Ms. Stratton treats you so well - that huge walk-in closet is full of your clothes. Not like me, I barely get a few new outfits a year."

Soren stuck out his tongue and walked towards me, sneering when he saw my pale face. "Brother, stop meddling in so many affairs. Taking care of your own health is the most important thing."

"By the way, Ms. Stratton has something to tell you."

Faye stood up, but her eyes suddenly became evasive, avoiding my gaze.

"Asher, once you've recovered, I plan to have a child with Soren."

"Soren has always wanted a child by his side due to the influence of his family background. As his superior, I want to fulfill this wish for him."

She had a look on his face as if this was entirely reasonable. Beside her, Soren grinned mischievously, silently mouthing a few words: "You lost".

My whole body trembled, my eyes red with anger. "Faye, how can you say such a thing? If he wants a child, can't he find someone else? Is this how mistresses behave now, just waltzing in like they own the place? You're going to have his child? What about me? Have you forgotten what you promised me?"

"Slap!"

A sudden pain erupted on my left cheek, which instantly swelled up. I held my face, looking in disbelief at Faye who had just struck me.

Her outstretched hand trembled slightly, as if regretting using too much force.

"Brother, how could you say such things about me? I... I can't go on living!" Soren cried as he ran out. The worry on Faye's face instantly vanished, replaced by irritation. "Can't you stop causing trouble? It's just giving him a child. I never said I wouldn't have one for you. Soren already lacks security, and here you are, insulting him with veiled criticism. I think you're beyond help!"

I lowered my head, tears silently falling. "Am I wrong in what I'm saying?"

Faye paused, then finally waved her hand impatiently. "Enough. I'm tired of dealing with you. I'm going to comfort Soren now. He's young and rash, prone to doing stupid things. You just stay home and take care of yourself."

I was speechless, gazing at the pale, bloodless face in the mirror.

The person in the mirror looked haggard, completely drained of energy, as if he might faint at any moment.

But she couldn't see it.

I opened my phone and dialed a number I hadn't touched in three years: "Melody, can I come back?"